Month: April 2016

About 30 years ago, I read a fascinating article predicting a rise of suicide rates in the United States that would begin near the end of the millennium. This social scientist posited that as the baby boomers reached retirement age, they would struggle to find real purpose in life and, as result, they would begin exercising the option of suicide. The premise behind this theory was that these baby boomers had fashioned their entire life’s meaning around the materialistic acquisition of wealth, and when retirement removed that reason to live, there was nothing left to fall back on.

Two days ago I ran across a recent article [U.S. Suicide Rate Surges to a 30-Year High, Sabrina Tavernise, N.Y. Times, 22 April 2016] that also touched on the issue of suicide in our modern society. Recalling the original article, this new one immediately caught my attention. It turns out that the original predictions of increased suicide rates did come true…

but entirely for the wrong reasons.

The Simple Catholic Snapshots:

Suicide in the United States has Surged to the Highest Levels in Nearly 30 Years

The Reasons are Complex and Controversial

Many Blame the Economy, Government, Guns or Divorce

But Few See the Recent Trend Away From Religion as Significant

Could it Be That Not Having Faith and Trust in God is a Contributing Factor?

We are Called as Christians to Extend Ourselves With Understanding and Compassion to All of God’s Children

St. Martin de Porres is truly blessed to be able to host Trent Horn as a featured speaker on Monday, May 2nd 2016 at 7:15 p.m. Michele and I heard Trent speak at the National Conference on Marriage last month and he is simply outstanding. Continue reading “No Joke – Save the Date!”